What people are saying
"A splendid idea for a book: original, controversial, and timely."
—Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind Works and Enlightenment Now
"An important and provocative book written just when humanity needs it most.”
—Angela Duckworth, author of Grit
"Gentle yet powerful, humble yet wise... A feast for thought."
—Patricia Churchland, author of Conscience and Touching a Nerve
“The most important book you will read this year.”
—Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, authors of Survival of the Friendliest
“Astonishingly enlightening and productive.”
—Michael Tomasello, author of Becoming Human and A Natural History of Human Thinking
“An exhilarating ride...destined to change the way we think about science and religion."
—Lee McIntyre, author of Post-Truth and How to Talk to a Science Denier
"Norman’s tools for inoculating minds should be taught to everyone... A masterful treatise."
—Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic and author of The Moral Arc and Heavens on Earth
"Charming, simple, and intelligent narration carr(ying) ideas that can change the world."
—Eric Lotke, author of Making Manna and Union Made
“With torchlight and spade, Norman digs into the roots of mass irrationality..."
—Clay Farris Naff, member, National Association of Science Writers
"A fine example of philosophy at work to solve real social problems.”
—Peter Singer, Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University
“A thrilling expedition on an emerging scientific frontier.”
—Dennis Trumble, author of The Way of Science
What's it about?
Description
Why are ideologies poisoning public discourse? Why is extremism on the rise? How did we get here, and what can we do about it?
It turns out some influential assumptions are suppressing our culture’s “immune response” to dangerous ideas. These assumptions prevent us from normalizing critical thinking and leave us vulnerable to mind-parasites.
Fortunately, there’s a cure. In this lively and uplifting book, Andy Norman isolates an idea with a long history of inoculating people against the worst forms of ideological infection. He then shows how we can fashion it into a mind vaccine and deepen our immunity to harmful beliefs.
Mental Immunity is a practical guide to spotting and removing bad ideas, a stirring call to transcend our petty tribalisms, and a serious bid to bring humanity to its senses.
